Cylinder head for an internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine comprising a prechamber (3), wherein a prechamber gas valve (5) is fitted into a cavity in the cylinder head (2) and the prechamber gas valve (5) is connected to the prechamber (3) by way of a flow transfer passage (10), wherein the flow transfer passage (10) has a first portion (8) adjoining the prechamber gas valve (5) and a second portion (1) into which the first portion (8) opens, wherein the second portion (1) extends at least around a part of a periphery of the prechamber (3), wherein the second portion (1) has an uninterrupted peripheral surface apart from that opening (7) with which it passes into the prechamber (3).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage entry from, and claims benefit of, PCT Application No. PCT/AT2018/060315, filed on Dec. 21, 2018; entitled “CYLINDER HEAD FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention concerns a cylinder head and an internal combustion engine having such a cylinder head.

As from a certain diameter of the cylinder bore (about 150 mm), (gas) internal combustion engines are equipped with a prechamber for ignition boosting. An ignition source—usually an ignition spark plug—which projects into the prechamber ignites the mixture which is present therein and which in the case of a flashed prechamber is relatively rich, whereby ignition flares pass from the prechamber into a main combustion chamber and ignite the mixture there.

There are various concepts in regard to the supply of fuel to the prechamber. In the case of an unflashed prechamber mixture is urged from the main combustion chamber into the prechamber in the compression stroke. In the case of flashed prechambers there is moreover the possibility of additionally supplying the prechamber with fuel. The fuel which is fed to the prechamber in case of a flashed prechamber can correspond to that in the main combustion chamber or can be different therefrom (in regard to its chemical composition and/or in regard to its air excess number). That separate fuel supply is effected by way of a prechamber gas valve which can be arranged in the cylinder head directly or indirectly (by way of a spark plug sleeve). Hereinafter, that fuel which is fed to the prechamber by way of the prechamber gas valve is referred to as propellant gas.

A cylinder head of the general kind set forth is shown for example in EP 3 064 755 A1. That specification discloses a cylinder head having a cavity for receiving a prechamber gas valve arranged in the cylinder head indirectly by way of a spark plug sleeve. The prechamber gas valve is connected to a prechamber by way of an inclinedly arranged flow transfer passage, wherein in operation of the internal combustion engine propellant gas is fed to the prechamber by way of that flow transfer passage. A similar concept of a flow transfer passage is known from EP 3 061 939 A1.

EP 3 012 444 A1 discloses a configuration of a flow transfer passage which is implemented by a horizontal and a vertical bore for supplying the prechamber with a propellant gas coming from the prechamber gas valve.

In addition, it is known from EP 3 012 431 A1 to provide a ring passage connected to the prechamber gas valve by way of a flow transfer passage. The ring passage extends around the prechamber and is connected to the prechamber by a plurality of bores spaced radially from each other. The plurality of bores provides that the propellant gas (coming from the prechamber gas valve by way of the flow transfer passage) is introduced as uniformly as possible into the prechamber and is there distributed with a concentration which is as uniform as possible.

In a combustion cycle of the internal combustion chamber, propellant gas is fed to the prechamber by way of the flow transfer passage by the prechamber gas valve, thereby resulting in the prechamber in a propellant gas-air mixture (more precisely that propellant gas-air mixture is mixed in the prechamber with a fuel-air mixture which passes into the prechamber from the main combustion chamber during the compression stroke). Then, in the main combustion chamber, the fuel-air mixture supplied thereto is compressed in a compression stroke until ignition is triggered in the prechamber by a spark plug projecting thereinto. The propellant gas-air mixture ignited in the prechamber forms ignition flares which pass from the prechamber into the main combustion chamber and initiate combustion in the main combustion chamber.

In general, the endeavor is to arrange the prechamber gas valve as closely as possible to the prechamber as the propellant gas in the flow transfer passage is not burnt or is only inadequately burnt during combustion. That partial or inadequate combustion of the propellant gas in the flow transfer passage leads to an unwanted increase in the emissions, in particular the HC emissions. The amount of propellant gas which is unburnt or insufficiently burnt in the flow transfer passage can be reduced by reducing the length of the flow transfer passage and consequently moving the prechamber gas valve closer to the prechamber.

By virtue of ignition in the prechamber and combustion of the propellant gas-air mixture in the prechamber the propellant-air mixture which is present in the flow transfer passage is also ignited, which can result in the formation of combustion residues. Combustion residues in the form of deposits at the peripheral surface of the flow transfer passage and/or the prechamber gas valve have a very negative effect as just minor deposits in the flow transfer passage by virtue of its small cross-section at the prechamber gas valve are sufficient to partially or even completely block the passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The object of the invention is to provide a cylinder head which is improved over the state of the art as well as an internal combustion engine having such a cylinder head.

That object is achieved by a cylinder head having the features of claim 1 and an internal combustion engine having such a cylinder head.

In a cylinder head according to the invention, a prechamber gas valve is fitted into a cavity in the cylinder head, wherein the prechamber gas valve is connected to the prechamber by way of a flow transfer passage which has a first portion adjoining the prechamber gas valve and a second portion into which the first portion opens, wherein the second portion extends at least around a part of a periphery of the prechamber, wherein the second portion has an uninterrupted circumference surface apart from that opening with which it passes into the prechamber.

This provides that the flow transfer passage is of such a length and is of such a cross-sectional area at least in a first portion adjoining the prechamber gas valve that in operation of the cylinder head mounted in an internal combustion engine in a compression stroke of the combustion process propellant gas which flew out of the prechamber gas valve forms a gas cushion in the flow transfer passage at least in the first portion.

That propellant gas cushion does not have any oxygen component as the propellant gas has not yet mixed with air. Due to the absence of an oxygen component in the propellant gas cushion, it does not take part in the reaction (combustion) and thus no products of incomplete combustion (HC emissions) can be formed by the propellant gas cushion.

The provision of a flow transfer passage of such a length and such a cross-sectional area that the issuing propellant gas forms a gas cushion in the flow transfer passage, ensures at least in the first portion of the flow transfer passage that combustion residues do not settle in the form of deposits at the peripheral surface or the formation of such deposits is at least reduced. Possible deposits which nonetheless are formed at the peripheral surface of the flow transfer passage can be entrained by the through flow in the flow transfer passage by virtue of a subsequent expansion phase in the combustion cycle (in which the highest speeds in the through flow in the flow transfer passage occur, at least in the second portion of the flow transfer passage), and thus the flow transfer passage can be cleaned.

In addition, combustion within the flow transfer passage is prevented by the gas cushion consisting of propellant gas as the gas cushion comprises almost pure propellant gas and cannot be ignited due to the absence of oxygen. The gas cushion formed in that way from propellant gas forms so-to-speak a combustion barrier in the flow transfer passage. In other words the geometrical configuration of the flow transfer passage uses the propellant gas which is already present to prevent the creation of deposits in the flow transfer passage near the prechamber gas valve by not allowing combustion.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Particularly preferably it can be provided that the second portion extends in an angular range of about 20° to about 270°, preferably in an angular range of about 60° to about 180° around the prechamber. Accordingly it is possible to provide a prolongation of the flow transfer passage in a particularly compact and space-saving fashion. In that case the flow transfer passage can extend in a circular path around the prechamber or approach the prechamber in a spiral shape. Depending on the respective demands involved, the flow transfer passage can open into the prechamber radially, tangentially or along a secant, in which case it is possible to closed-loop/open-loop control or influence the flow into and the flow through the prechamber.

It can further be provided that a spark plug is provided as the ignition source in the cylinder head. In that case, commercially usual spark plugs can be used. To accommodate the spark plug in the cylinder head, there can be provided a spark plug sleeve in the cylinder head.

It can be provided that the second portion extends in a plane parallel to a separation plane between the prechamber and the rest of the cylinder head, preferably between the prechamber and a spark plug sleeve. Such a provision of the second portion of the flow transfer passage provides a particularly simple and resource-sparing option for the production of the second passage. Thus, at least the second portion can be formed by at least one preferably milled groove in a wall of the prechamber and/or the rest of the cylinder head. In the assembled state in that case, the flow transfer passage is formed by the groove in a wall of the prechamber and/or the rest of the cylinder head and a wall adjoining that groove.

Consequently, it can be provided that the flow transfer passage is formed both by a wall of the prechamber and also by material of the rest of the cylinder head.

It is preferably provided that a cross-sectional area of the flow transfer passage, preferably at least over the length of the first portion, is between about 1·π mm² and about 2.5²·π mm². It can, however, also be provided that the flow transfer passage is of a cross-section which varies over its length. Thus for example in certain regions of the flow transfer passage there can be provided a cross-section narrowing to achieve a throttle effect. Or it is possible for example to provide a cross-sectional enlargement (or also a space) in certain regions of the flow transfer passage to form a collecting location (for example for a gas cushion). The flow speed of the propellant gas can be specifically closed-loop/open-loop controlled by a progressive narrowing or enlargement of the flow transfer passage.

In an embodiment, it can be provided that a total length of the flow transfer passage is between about 30 mm and about 70 mm. However, the length of the flow transfer passage can be selected in dependence on the size of an internal combustion engine, the size of a combustion chamber, or the size of the cylinder head.

It can be provided that the flow transfer passage with respect to the cross-sectional area immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve is of a (volumetric) equivalent length of about 15 to about 23 mm, preferably an equivalent length of about 16 to about 20 mm. In that respect, the equivalent length is calculated from a volume of the flow transfer passage, that is required to form a sufficient gas cushion before the prechamber gas valve during combustion. That equivalent length is thus to be interpreted as a measurement in respect of a substitute volume. The equivalent length is not necessarily an actually implemented structural size, but specifies a length which is to be provided if the flow transfer passage were to be constructed with a constant cross-sectional area, which cross-sectional area would correspond to the cross-section area immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve (that gives the substitute volume—equivalent length multiplied by the cross-sectional area immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve). The actually structurally provided length of the transfer flow passage results from that substitute volume (equivalent length multiplied by the cross-sectional area immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve) and the cross-sectional variation along the flow transfer passage.

In other words the equivalent length is the length of a notional passage which is of the same volume as the actual flow transfer passage, but throughout is of that cross-sectional area of the flow transfer passage, that is immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve.

It can preferably be provided that the flow transfer passage, preferably the first portion, has a portion inclined substantially relative to a separation plane between the prechamber and the rest of the cylinder head. In that case, for example, it can be provided that the angle of the flow transfer passage, preferably of first portion, is 20° to 70° with the axis of symmetry of the prechamber gas valve. Such an inclined configuration (at least of the first portion) of the flow transfer passage makes it possible to achieve particularly high mechanical stability for the cylinder head. The fluidic flow configuration of the supplied propellant gas is optimized by virtue of the fact that it does not have to flow through any acute angles. For the production of such a gas passage, it can be provided that a flank of the cylinder head is arranged inclinedly. That, for example, can be so selected that the inclined flank is at a right angle to the axis of the flow transfer passage. That facilitates production of the flow transfer passage by boring. Particularly preferably it can be provided that the angle of the flow transfer passage relative to the axis of symmetry of the valve body is 20° to 30°.

It can be provided that a space is provided between a seat of the valve head of the prechamber gas valve and a mouth opening of the prechamber gas valve into the flow transfer passage. That is the case if the valve head of the prechamber gas valve does not directly adjoin the prechamber or the flow transfer passage leading to the prechamber, but a hollow space is formed therebetween. The provision of that space provides for a particularly good flow of the propellant gas out of the prechamber gas valve into the flow transfer passage.

It can preferably be provided that the space is of a very substantially pear-shaped configuration, which tapers towards the prechamber. In that way, the flow of propellant gas out of the prechamber gas valve into the flow transfer passage can be desirably influenced and nonetheless the volume can be kept small.

Protection is further claimed for an internal combustion engine, in particular a stationary internal combustion engine, having at least one cylinder head according to the invention.

The invention can preferably be used in a stationary internal combustion engine or for marine applications or for mobile applications like so-called “non-road mobile machinery” (NRMM)—preferably each in the form of a reciprocating piston engine (preferably a gas engine). The internal combustion engine can serve as a mechanical drive for example for driving compressor installations or can be coupled to a generator to form a genset for generating electrical power.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a cylinder head,

FIG. 2 shows the cross-section indicated in FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a cylinder head,

FIG. 4 shows the cross-section indicated in FIG. 3 ,

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment to FIG. 4 , and

FIG. 6 shows a further alternative embodiment to FIG. 4 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a cylinder head 2 for an internal combustion engine having a prechamber 3. The prechamber gas valve 5 and a spark plug (not shown for reasons of clarity) are fitted in a spark plug sleeve 4. In the installation position, the spark plug sleeve 4 is fitted into the cylinder head 2 of the internal combustion engine (not shown here in its entirety).

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the cavity of the cylinder head 2 into which the spark plug sleeve 4 is fitted. The spark plug sleeve 4 includes a shaft which is concentric around the axis of symmetry S1 and comprises cylindrical portions for receiving a spark plug and it has a bore with the axis of symmetry S2 for receiving a prechamber gas valve 5.

A flow transfer passage 10 leads from the prechamber gas valve 5 to the prechamber 3. The prechamber 3 comprises the actual prechamber space 6, that is to say a hollow space in which the ignition of mixture takes place and the flow transfer bores 9, through which the prechamber space 6 is connected to the main combustion chamber (not shown). After ignition in the prechamber space 6, the ignition flares pass into the main combustion chamber by way of the flow transfer bores 9. In the present embodiment, the prechamber 3 is in the form of a component separate from the spark plug sleeve 4 and is connected, for example pressed, to the spark plug sleeve 4.

The spark plug 6 (not shown for the sake of clarity) is screwed into the spark plug sleeve 4 by way of the spark plug bore 12, which is concentric with the axis of symmetry S1, in such a way that it preferably terminates flush with the prechamber 3 and its electrode or electrodes project into the prechamber 3. The prechamber 3 is enriched with propellant gas by the prechamber gas valve 5 by way of the flow transfer passage 10.

It can be clearly seen here how the flow transfer passage 10 is subdivided into a first portion 8 and a second portion 1. The first portion 8 leads from a space 11, which is arranged at the prechamber gas valve 5 and has a closed peripheral surface to the second portion 1 into which the first portion 8 transitions. The first portion 8 in that case is in the form of a bore in the spark plug sleeve 4, which is inclined at an angle β relative to the axis of symmetry S2 or also the axis of symmetry of the valve body.

FIG. 2 shows the section A-A indicated in FIG. 1 through the separation plane between the prechamber 3 and the spark plug sleeve 4. That section makes it possible to see the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10, which extends in an angular range a about a part of the periphery of the prechamber 3, wherein the second portion 1 (apart from that opening 7 with which it opens into the prechamber space 6) has an uninterrupted peripheral surface. For the sake of clarity, the cylinder head 2 is not shown in this Figure. In this embodiment, the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 is provided by a milled groove in the spark plug sleeve 4, which is closed by the adjoining wall of the prechamber 3 and forms a passage (second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a cylinder head 2 for an internal combustion engine. Unlike FIGS. 1 and 2 , in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 is provided in the prechamber 3. That is particularly clear from FIG. 3 . FIG. 4 in turn shows the section B-B indicated in FIG. 3 through the separation plane between the prechamber 3 and the spark plug sleeve 4.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 extends in an angular range a around a part of a periphery of the prechamber 3, wherein the second portion 1 (apart from that opening 7 with which it opens into the prechamber space 6) has an uninterrupted peripheral surface. In this embodiment, the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 is provided by a milled groove in the prechamber 3, that is closed by the adjoining wall of the spark plug sleeve 4 and forms a passage (second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10).

FIGS. 5 and 6 show alternative embodiments of the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 in the same cross-section B-B as also shown by FIG. 4 , that cross-section being defined by FIG. 3 . These embodiments however can also be designed analogously in relation to the solution shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which the second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 opens tangentially into the periphery of the prechamber space 6 with the opening 7. By virtue of the variation in the entry angle of the flow transfer passage 10, more precisely its second portion 1, into the prechamber space 6, it is possible to closed-loop/open-loop control flooding of the prechamber 3 by the propellant gas. The second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 is formed by a milled groove in the prechamber 3.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 has a second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10, that has a cross-sectional narrowing 13 before the opening 7 into the prechamber space 6. By virtue of the variation in the cross-section of the flow transfer passage 10, more precisely its second portion 1, upstream of the prechamber space 6, it is possible to closed-loop/open-loop control the speed at which the propellant gas flows in. The second portion 1 of the flow transfer passage 10 is again provided by a milled groove in the prechamber 3.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   1 second portion -   2 cylinder head -   3 prechamber -   4 spark plug sleeve -   5 prechamber gas valve -   6 prechamber space -   7 opening -   8 first portion -   9 connecting passage -   10 flow transfer bores -   11 space -   12 spark plug bore -   13 cross-sectional narrowing -   S1 axis of symmetry -   S2 axis of symmetry -   α angular range -   β angle 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a cylinder head for an internal combustion engine comprising a prechamber, wherein a prechamber gas valve is fitted into a cavity in the cylinder head and the prechamber gas valve is connected to the prechamber by way of a flow transfer passage, wherein the flow transfer passage has a first portion adjoining the prechamber gas valve and a second portion into which the first portion opens, wherein the second portion extends at least around a part of a periphery of the prechamber in an angular range (α) of at least 20° from the first portion to an opening into the prechamber, wherein the second portion has an uninterrupted peripheral surface extending from the first portion to the opening and separating the second portion from the prechamber, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage does not open into the prechamber until the opening, wherein the opening is coincident with an interior surface of the prechamber.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion extends in the angular range (α) in only one direction from the first portion to the opening.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion extends in the angular range (α) of only between 20° to 270°.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the flow transfer passage, at least over a length of the first portion, is between 1 ·π mm² and 2.5 ·π mm².
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein a total length of the flow transfer passage is between 30 mm and 70 mm.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the second portion of the flow transfer passage is disposed between a first surface of the prechamber and a second surface of the cylinder head or a spark plug sleeve, wherein at least the second portion of the flow transfer passage comprises at least one groove in the first surface or the second surface.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage terminates at the opening.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein a volume of the flow transfer passage is at least a length times a cross-sectional area immediately downstream of the prechamber gas valve, wherein the length is 15 to 23 mm.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage has a substantially parallel portion in relation to a separation plane between the prechamber and the cylinder head.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least half of a total length of the first portion of the flow transfer passage is inclined substantially relative to a separation plane between the prechamber and the cylinder head.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage has a cross-sectional narrowing portion oriented inwardly toward the prechamber and terminating at the opening.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the flow transfer passage is of a cross-section varying over its length.
 13. The system of claim 1, comprising the internal combustion engine having the cylinder head.
 14. A method, comprising: forming at least a second portion of a flow transfer passage in a portion of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, wherein the flow transfer passage comprises a first portion coupled to the second portion between a prechamber gas valve and a prechamber space of a prechamber, wherein the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the prechamber space, wherein the second portion extends at least around a part of a periphery of the prechamber from the first portion to an opening into the prechamber space, wherein the second portion has an uninterrupted peripheral surface extending from the first portion to the opening and separating the second portion from the prechamber space, wherein the second portion extends in an angular range (α) in only one direction from the first portion to the opening, wherein the opening is coincident with an interior surface of the prechamber.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the the second portion of the flow transfer passage terminates at the opening.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the second portion of the flow transfer passage comprises extending the second portion in the angular range (α) of only between 20° to 270°.
 17. A system, comprising: at least a portion of a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, wherein the portion comprises at least a second portion of a flow transfer passage, wherein the flow transfer passage comprises a first portion coupled to the second portion between a prechamber gas valve and a prechamber space of a prechamber, wherein the second portion is disposed between the first portion and the prechamber space, wherein the second portion extends at least around a part of a periphery of the prechamber from the first portion to an opening into the prechamber, wherein the second portion has an uninterrupted peripheral surface extending from the first portion to the opening and separating the second portion from the prechamber space, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage terminates at the opening, wherein the opening is coincident with an interior surface of the prechamber.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least part of a length of the second portion curves into the opening.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage extends in an angular range (α) of only between 20° to 270°.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the second portion of the flow transfer passage extends radially, tangentially, or along a secant into the prechamber via the opening. 